Property entrance and exit notification, inventory control system

ABSTRACT

A property entrance and exit notification, inventory control system of the present invention automates the documentation of entry time, exit time and position of personnel entering, equipment, tools and vehicles exiting and movement throughout the property. Being logged into the system identifies time of entry onto the property and time of exit off the property. Logging in with an identification card into the system is identified and activated by one of the following; “RFID” Radio Frequency Identification, “SAW” Surface Acoustic Wave, Barcode or “GPS” Global Positioning System. Furthermore at time of entry login, GPS Responders are activated to monitor location of personnel on the property. At time of exit off the property the GPS Responders are deactivated.

The application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/918,799, filed Aug. 16, 2004, a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/023,030, filed Feb. 19, 2002, based on provisional application Ser. No. 10/254,947 filed Dec. 12, 2000

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate date and time documentation of personnel entrance onto property and exit off property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate location documentation of personnel entrance onto property and exit off property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate location documentation of personnel on the property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate date and time documentation of equipment and tools entrance onto property and exit off property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate location documentation of equipment and tools on the property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate date and time documentation of vehicle entrance onto property and exit off property.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to automate location documentation of vehicles on the property.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a driveway entrance, gate area, property, automated scanning system, automated tracking system, documentation software system and documentation hardware system. As the personnel enter up the driveway and proceed through the scanner area in vehicle or on foot the automated scanning system reads the ID Identification Cards held by the personnel. The ID Identification Card can be read while the personnel are in the vehicle or out of the vehicle. This automated scanning system identifies the date and time of entry onto the property and the time of exit off the property. At time of entrance login onto the property via the automated scanning system using and the ID Identification Card, a personnel record is automatically generated in the software database. At the same time of entrance automated login a GPS Global Positioning System tracking method is activated and monitors the personnel throughout the property and records monitoring data to a database. During the process of GPS monitoring the personnel throughout the property, a signature map of time and location of the personnel is recorded into to a database for real time viewing or viewing at a later time by management. The purpose of automated scanning of personnel entrance and exit onto the property is to identity entrance times and exit times of personnel. The purpose of tracking personnel throughout the property is to identify time and location including scheduling, job location, safety related issues, lost personnel and loss prevention. Scanned data and monitoring data is automatically uploaded to database software and can be viewed anywhere by management on or off the property by a viewing means. Viewing of the scanned data and monitoring data can be viewed by management with or without a pass code.

The property entrance and exit notification, inventory control system of the present system uses one or more of scanning means of (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification, (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology, Barcode or (GPS) Global Positioning System.

The property entrance and exit notification, inventory control system of the present system uses tracking means of (GPS) Global Positioning System.

The present invention is applicable to the following areas and facilities: Federal and State Prisons; Federal and State Warehouse Property; Federal and State Warehouse Property including property for hazardous material; Federal and State Distribution Property Areas; Commercial Warehouses Property; Commercial Distribution Property Areas; Private, State and Federal Construction Sites, and other cites.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts.

FIG. 3 is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the gates are closed.

FIG. 4 is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the gates are open.

FIG. 4 a is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while one gate is open and one gate is closed.

FIG. 5 is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the barricades are closed.

FIG. 6 is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the barricades are open.

FIG. 6 a is an external frontal view outside the property of the driveway entrance and exit of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while one barricade is open and one barricade is closed.

FIG. 7 is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the gates are closed.

FIG. 8 is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the gates are open.

FIG. 8 a is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while one gate is open and one gate is closed.

FIG. 9 is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the barricades are closed.

FIG. 10 is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while the barricades are open.

FIG. 10 a is an internal frontal view inside the property of the driveway exit and entrance of the property with the scanner on both sides of the driveway located on vertical bollard posts while one barricade is open and one barricade is closed.

FIG. 11 is a frontal view of objects that can are identified with one or more of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS tags.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate the property gate or barricade closed and open. The standard gate or barricade for property entrances and exits are generally electric or manually operated. Traditionally, gates and barricades for entrances and exits are designed to physically allow a vehicle to enter the property or keep out a vehicle from entering the property.

An advantage of the present invention is to operate the gate or barricade as standard procedure electric or manual while operating a sensing devise such as a limit switch, photo eye, motion detector, magnetic switch, or laser when the gate or barricade is opened or closed. By opening or closing the gate or barricade will automatically update the database of location and time of gate or barricade operation. Operation of the gate or barricade open or closed energizes or de-energizes the scanners to read (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification, (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology, Barcode or (GPS) Global Positioning System. When the personnel data is updated in the database the (GPS) Global Positioning System is also energized to monitor the personnel throughout the property.

The reverse happens when exiting the property. By opening or closing the gate or barricade will automatically update the database of location and time of gate or barricade operation. Operation of the gate or barricade open or closed energizes or de-energizes the scanners to read (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification, (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology, Barcode or (GPS) Global Positioning System. When the personnel data is updated in the database the (GPS) Global Positioning System is also de-energized from monitoring the personnel.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the property with no gate or barricade. The standard entrance without a gate or barricade are generally open to anyone without documentation or a manually signed document including time entrance or exit is produced by the person entering or exiting the property.

An advantage of the present invention is to scan one or more of personnel with RFID receiver device, equipment, tools and vehicles as the pass through a specified zone. Personnel RFID receiver devices can be but not limited to RFID-ID card or badges. By energizing the sensing devise the scanner is opera table to scan any ID Identification Card held by the personnel entering or exiting the property, therefore automatically updating the database of personnel location, date and time passage of entering or exiting the property. Operation of the sensing devise energizes or de-energizes the scanners to read (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification, (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology, Barcode or (GPS) Global Positioning System. When the one or more personnel, equipment, tools or vehicle data is updated in the database the (GPS) Global Positioning System is also energized to monitor the personnel throughout the property.

The reverse happens when exiting the property. By energizing a sensing devise when one or more of personnel, equipment, tools or vehicles passes a specified scanning zone the sensing devise will then energize the scanner to make opera table to scan any ID Identification Card held by the personnel exiting the property, therefore automatically updating the database of personnel location and time passage. Operation of sensing devise energizes or de-energizes the scanners to read (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification, (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology, Barcode or (GPS) Global Positioning System. When the one or more personnel, equipment, tools or vehicle data is updated in the database the (GPS) Global Positioning System is also de-energized from monitoring the personnel.

Left side entry scanner 1 and 2 right side entry scanner, left side exit scanner 3 and 4 right side exit scanner are mounted to vertical structures, 5 vertical left fence at the entrance of the property, 6 vertical right fence at the exit o the property, 7 the entrance driveway of the property, 8 the exit driveway of the property. The entrance reading monitor 9 to be viewed by the entrance guard. The exiting reading monitor 10 to be viewed by the exit guard. 11 stop sign for entering personnel and vehicles 12 traffic signal traffic light for entering personnel and vehicles. 13 stop sign for exiting personnel and vehicles. 14 traffic signal traffic light for exiting personnel. 15 guard shack door entry and exit on entering vehicle side, 16 door for guard shack entry and exit on exit vehicle side.

Guard shack building 17 has a guard shack window 18 to allow for viewing of entering vehicles. Guard shack building 17 has a guard shack window 19 to allow for viewing of exiting vehicles. 20 and 21 vertical safety wall sign for entering. 22 and 23 vertical safety wall sign for exiting the property. 24 enter sign on entrance driveway, 25 stop sign on entrance driveway, 27 exit sign on exit driveway and 28 stop sign on exit driveway. 29 safety line on entrance driveway, 30 safety line on exit driveway. 31 management personnel building housing computer server 32 supporting database software 33 for one or more of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS can be view by a viewing means 33. Connection between computer server 32 and computer terminal 9.5 can be connected via a hard wire or wireless connection, cable or phone lines. Personnel badges 50 are equipped with one or more of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS reader or transponders.

Vehicles 51 are equipped with one or more of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS reader or transponders. Equipment and tools 52 are equipped with one or more of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS reader or transponders. 

1. A property entrance, notification and inventory control sysstem having means for counting personnel, equipment tools and/or vehicles comprising; at least one entry and exit area, at lease one gate or barricade, at least one RFID, SAW barcode or GPS indicator means; and at least on personnel sensing means.
 2. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 1 wherein said property entrance, exit notification and inventory control system includes notification means for updating a computer database network.
 3. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 2 wherein said property entrance, exit notification and inventory control system includes notification and viewing means for viewing data at designated viewing locations.
 4. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 3 wherein wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes connecting means for connecting said system to a computer database network
 5. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 4 wherein said property entrance, exit notification and inventory control system includes personnel and inventory sensing means.
 6. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 5 wherein said personel sensing means includes means for sensing personnel entering and exiting property area, said gate or barricade.
 7. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 6 wherein said personnel sensing means includes position indicating means for movement and position of said gate or barricade.
 8. A property entrance, notification and inventory control system according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means includes at least one reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); barcodes, global positioning system (GPS) to read said movement of vehicles, gates, barricades and personnel, whereby as said gate is opened or closed or said barricade is raised or lott.jered and sensed by said sensing means, said gate and barricade notification and inventory control system automatically updates said database network to record said one or more personnel activity I equipment activity, tool activity or vehicle activity inventory control for entry and exit of the property at the said gate or barricade sensing zone.
 9. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system comprising; A fenced area including a gate, An entry zone; An exit zone; At least one gate position sensing and indicator means, and At least one vehicle sensing means, and At least one personnel sensing means, and At least one equipment sensing means, and Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes a notification means for updating the database network and viewing data at any designated viewing means connected to said database network which monitors date, time, location of personnel.
 10. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system according to claim 9 wherein said property entrance and exit notitication and control system includes at least one reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); and barcodes to read personnel badges.
 11. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system comprising: means for counting personnel, equipment, tools and vehicles; a property site gate or barricade entry and exit zone including at least one of RFID, SAW, barcode or GPS indicator means; at least on personnel sensing means; at least one equipment sensing means; and at least one information notification system; wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes connecting means for connecting said system to a database network; said personnel sensing means includes means for sensing personnel entering and exiting property area, said gate or barricade position indicating means for movement and position of said gate or barricade.
 12. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system according to claim 11 wherein said property entrance-exit notification and inventory control system includes notification means for updating database network and viewing means for viewing data at designated viewing locations; said database network processing product traffic, gate activity, barricade activity, personnel activity and identification; wherein said gate position or barricade position, said product and said personnel sensing means and notification system includes at least one reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); barcodes, global positioning system (GPS) to read said movement of vehicles, gates, barricades and personnel, whereby as said gate is opened or closed or said barricade is raised or lowered and sensed by said sensing means, said gate and barricade notification and inventory control system automatically updates said database network to record said one or more personnel activity, equipment activity, tool activity or vehicle activity inventory control for entry and exit of the property at the said gate or barricade sensing zone.
 13. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system comprising; A fenced area including a gate, An entry zone An exit zone At least one gate position sensing and indicator means, and At least one vehicle sensing means, and At least one personnel sensing means, and At least one equipment sensing means, and Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes means for connecting said automation system to a database network which senses personnel traffic, equipment traffic, gate activity, barricade activity, vehicle activity and identification; Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes means for sensing personnel entering and exiting said gate or barricade area and said gate position or barricade sensing means for movement and position of said gate or barricade; Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system include a notification means for updating the database network and viewing data at any designated viewing means connected to said database network which senses personnel, equipment, tools, vehicles, gate activity, barricade activity and identification; Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes at least on reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); and barcodes on said personnel badges, personnel clothing, equipment, tools, vehicles, products, gates and barricades; Whereby as the gate is opened or closed or the barricade is raised or lowered and sensed by sensing means, said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system automatically updates said database network to record one or more of said data, date, time, location, personnel history, personnel badges, personnel clothing, vehicles, vehicle driver information, vehicle traffic data, vehicle arrival and departure time, product inventory for entry and exit of the gate or barricade drive area.
 14. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system comprising; An inventory region including a driveway, a personnel badge reader means, equipment reader means, tool reader means, vehicle reader means, a software database network and viewing means; Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes means for reading at least one of personnel, equipment, tools or vehicles entering or exiting said property area; Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system include a notification means for updating the database network and viewing data at any designated viewing means connected to said database network which monitors date, time, location of at last one of personnel, equipment, tools or vehicles; and Wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes at least on reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); barcodes and GPS to read personnel badges, personnel clothing, equipment, tools or vehicles, as the personnel badges, personnel clothing, equipment, tools or vehicles are read by the reader, said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system automatically updates said database network to record one or more of said data, date, time, location, personnel history, personnel badges, personnel clothing, vehicles, vehicle driver information, vehicle traffic data, vehicle arrival and departure time, product inventory for entry and exit of the gate or barricade drive area.
 15. A property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system comprising; an inventory region including a driveway, a personnel badge reader means, a software database network and viewing means; wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes means for reading personnel with personnel badges entering or exiting said property area; wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system include a notification means for updating the database network and viewing data at any designated viewing means connected to said database network which monitors date, time, location of personnel; wherein said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system includes at least one reader selected from radio frequency identification (RFID); surface acoustic wave (SAW); barcodes and G.P.S. to read personnel badges; and as the personnel badges are read by the reader, said property entrance and exit notification and inventory control system automatically updates said database network to record one or more of said data, date, time, location, personnel history. 